Process for producing finely divided metals deposited on oxidized metals

ABSTRACT

A process for producing finely divided 20 to 500 angstrom metal particles, metals with oxide coatings or metal oxides using an alkalide or electride in a non-reactive solvent is described. The process produces various forms of the metal depending upon the oxidizability of the metal initially produced by the process. The process is useful for producing catalysts, alloys, colloidal solutions, semi-conductors and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a process and compositions including a finely divided metal, metal oxide coated metal, metal oxide and other oxidized metal produced by the use of alkalides and electrides to reduce a soluble metal salt in an organic solvent. In particular, the present invention relates to a process which produces the finely divided metal, metal oxide coated metal or metal oxide or other oxidized metal depending upon the oxidizability of a metal initially produced by the process.

(2) Prior Art

Homogeneous reduction of noble metal salts by mild reducing agents, even in aqueous solution is well known. Solid alkali metals and suspensions of alkali metals are also often used as reductants. The use of homogeneous strong reducing agents in aprotic solvents to produce finely divided metals has been limited to reduction by aromatic radical anions and/or aromatic dianions such as sodium naphthalenide (Rieke, R., Science 246, 1260-1264 (1989)). Often the reductions are slow and must be done at the reflux temperatures of THF. The most common source of solvated electrons is found in metal-ammonia and metal-amine solutions. Indeed, these solutions are commonly used in industry and research to reduce organic compounds (Birch reductions). The problem encountered with transition metal reductions by metal-ammonia solutions is the formation of metal amides and imides by deprotonation of the solvent. Complex mixtures result from such reactions and one seldom gets the transition metal itself.

Examples of metal particle production are:

1. Mild reduction of noble metals in the presence of soluble polymers to yield 10-50 Å particles. H. Hirai, Y. Nakao and N. Toshima, J. Macromol. Sci-Chem., A12, 1117 (1978); A13, 727 (1979); H. Hirai, ibid, A13, 633 (1979).

2. Zero-valent compounds such as Fe(CO)₅ can be thermally decomposed in polymers to yield colloidal dispersions of metal. T. W. Smith and D. Wychick, J. Phys. Chem., 84, 1621 (1980) .

3. Metal vapor deposition in a solvent matrix can give small metal particles, M. Kilner, N. Mason, D. B. Lambrick, P. D. Hooker and P. L. Timms, J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm., 356 (1987). K. Kimura and S. Bandow, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn, 56, 3578 (1983); K. Kimura, ibid, 57, 1683 (1984); 60 3093 (1987).

4. Heterogeneous reduction by alkali metals in ethers with or without an aromatic compound present as an electron carrier has been used to prepare metals. R. D. Rieke et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 96, 1775 (1974); J. Org. Chem., 40 2253 (1975); ibid 44, 3069 (1979); ibid, 46, 4323 (1981).

Research with alkalides and electrides as described in:

(1) U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,180 to Dye;

(2) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 96, 608-609 (1974);

(3) J. Physical Chem. 79, 3065-3070 (1975);

(4) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 18, 587-598 (1979);

(5) Alkali Metals McGraw-Hill Yearbook of Science and Technology 87-89 (1981);

(6) Inorganic Chem., 21, 1966-1970 (1982);

(7) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 105, 6490-6491 (1983);

(8) Chemistry in Britain 20 210-215 (1984);

(9) Progress in Inorganic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons 32, 327-441 (1984);

(10) J. Physical Chem. 88, 3852-3855 (1984);

(11) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 108, 3534-3535 (1986);

(12) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109, 5561-5563 (1987);

(13) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 101, 7203-7204 (1987);

(14) Valency and Charge Distribution, In Alkalide and Electride Salts,, Proceedings of The Robert A. Welch Foundation Conference on Chemical Research XXXII Valency, pg 65-91 (1988);

(15) Nature 331, 599-601 (1988);

(16) J. Coord Chem. 18, 121-128 (1988);

(17) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 935-938 (1989);

(18) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 5957-5958 (1989);

(19) Pure & Appl. Chem. 61, 1555-1562 (1989); and

Ann. Rev. Phys. Chem. 38, 271-301 (1987);

showed that relatively concentrated solutions (>0.1M in many cases) are obtained which contain e_(s) ⁻ and/or M⁻ in aprotic solvents such as dimethyl ether. This research provided the possibility to carry out reductions in the absence of proton sources other than the highly non-acidic --CH₂ -- and--CH₃ protons of the solvent and complexant; however, the means for accomplishing such a reaction was not known.

OBJECTS

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of a metal, metal with an oxide coating, metal oxide or other oxidized metal depending upon the handling of the reaction product and the oxidizability of the metal. Further it is an object of the present invention to provide a process which allows the reaction to proceed with an alkalide or electride. These and other objects will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following description and the drawings.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a photoelectric and auger process of electron removal by x-rays on a surface.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the electron mean free path of an electron released by a particular material bombarded by x-rays.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing an x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of Au particles from the reduction of AuCl₃, which was not washed.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing an XRD pattern of Au particles from the reduction of AuCl₃, which was washed with methanol.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing an x-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) of Au produced by reduction of AuCl₃. In all XPS and Auger spectra, M, 0, A represent peaks due to metal, oxidized metal and compound, respectively.

FIG. 6 is an electron micrograph of Au particles produced by the process.

FIG. 7 is a photograph of an electron diffraction pattern of Au particles.

FIG. 8 is a graph of an XRD pattern of Au on Al₂ O₃. FIG. 9 is an electron micrograph of gold particles on Al₂ O₃ at a magnification of 190,000 (550 Angstroms per cm ).

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C are graphs showing XPS Auger Peak spectra of zinc particles from the reduction of ZnI₂ before and after Argon sputtering to remove an oxide coating.

FIG. 11 is an electron micrograph of Zn aggregation at a magnification of 100,000 (1000 Angstroms per cm ) .

FIG. 12 is a graph showing an energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) of Zn/ZnO particles.

FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are graphs showing XPS spectra of Mo from the reduction of MoCl₆.

FIGS. 14A, 14B and 14C are graphs showing XPS Auger Peak spectra of Ga from the reduction of GaCl₃.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are graphs showing XPS spectra of Sn from the reduction of SnCl₄ before (FIG. 15A) and after exposure to air (FIG. 15B).

FIGS. 16A, 16B and 16C are graphs showing XPS spectra of Fe from the reduction of FeCl₃ before and after sputtering in an argon atmosphere.

FIG. 17 is an electron micrograph of Cu and other products from the reduction of CuCl₂ at 100,000 times magnification (1000 Å /cm) .

FIG. 18 is a graph showing an EDS spectrum of the reduction of CuCl₂.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing an XPS spectrum of the reduction of TiCl₄. Note that only oxidized titanium is present.

FIG. 20 is an electron micrograph of TiO₂ produced by the process from TiCl₄ at 100,000 times magnification (1000 Å /cm) .

FIG. 21 is a graph showing an XRD pattern of Cu from the reduction of CuCl₂ washed with methanol.

FIG. 22 is a photograph showing an electron diffraction pattern of Cu.

FIG. 23 is an electron micrograph of Cu particles at 320,000 times (310 angstroms per cm).

FIG. 24 is a graph showing an EDS spectrum of Cu particles on a nickel grid.

FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C are graphs showing XPS spectra of Cu particles before washing (FIG. 25A) and the presence of CuO after oxidation in air (FIGS. 25B) and after washing with methanol (FIG. 25C).

FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C are graphs showing the XPS spectra of the product of reduction of TeBr₄ before washing (FIG. 26A), after air oxidation (FIG. 26B) and after a methanol wash (FIG. 26C).

FIGS. 27A, 27B, and 27C are graphs showing the XPS spectra of a Ni product before air oxidation (FIG. 27A) after being oxidized in air (FIG. 27B) and after washing with methanol (FIG. 27C).

FIGS. 28A, 28B and 28C are graphs showing the XPS spectra of a Sb product before washing (FIG. 28A), after washing with methanol (FIG. 28B) and after sputtering in argon gas (FIG. 28C).

FIGS. 29A, 29B and 29C are graphs showing the XPS spectra of the Pt product after washing with methanol before exposure to air (FIG. 29A) after a brief exposure (16 min) to air (FIG. 29B) and after exposure to air for 4 days (FIG. 29C). The two peaks at the left in FIGS. 28A and 28B are from the gold-coated cover.

FIG. 30 is an electron micrograph of Pt particles at 320,000 times magnification (310 Å /cm).

FIG. 31 is a photograph of an electron diffraction pattern of Pt particles.

FIG. 32 is an electron micrograph of the product of reduction of FeCl₃ at 19,000 times magnification (5,000 Å /cm).

FIG. 33 is an XRD pattern of Te from the reduction of TeBr₄ after washing with methanol.

FIG. 34 is an electron micrograph of Te particles at 140,000 times magnification (550 Å).

FIG. 35 is a photograph of an electron diffraction pattern of Te particles.

FIGS. 36A, 36B and 36C are graphs showing the Au XPS spectra from the reduction of a mixture of AuCl₃ and ZnI₂ with AuCl₃ present in excess (FIG. 36A), ZnI₂ present in excess (FIG. 36B) and from the reduction of AuCl₃ only (FIG. 36C).

FIGS. 37A, 37B are graphs showing the Au XPS spectrum (FIG. 37A) and Zn Auger spectrum (FIG. 37B) of the compound AuZn formed by reduction of a mixture of AuCl₃ and ZnI₂.

FIG. 38 is an electron micrograph of AuZn at 100,000 times magnification (1000 Å /cm).

FIG. 39 is a photograph of an electron diffraction pattern of AuZn particles.

FIG. 40 is an electron micrograph of AuCu at 48,000 times magnification (2,000 Å /cm).

FIG. 41 is a photograph of an electron diffraction pattern of AuCu.

FIG. 42 is a graph showing the XPS Auger spectrum obtained from the products of reduction of a mixture of CuCl₂ and ZnI₂.

FIG. 43 shows an apparatus 10 for producing the finely divided metal particles.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a process for the production of metals and oxidized metals by reducing a metal salt with a reducing agent the improvement which comprises: reducing in a reaction mixture a metal salt with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide in an organic solvent and in the absence of an oxidizing atmosphere to produce the metal in a finely divided form in the solvent. The alkalide or electride may be prepared in advance and dissolved to produce the solution, or it may be prepared in situ from the alkali metal(s) and complexant(s).

Further, the present invention relates to a process for the production of metals and oxidized metals which comprises: reducing in a reaction mixture a metal salt with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide in an organic solvent and in the absence of an oxidizing atmosphere to produce the metal in a finely divided form in the solvent; and separating the metal from the solvent, wherein upon separation the metal is oxidized at least at an exposed surface to an oxidized metal in the presence of oxygen when an oxidizable metal is produced.

The present invention further relates to a reactive metal composition which comprises: a finely divided metal having a particle size between about 20 and 500 Angstroms produced by reducing a metal salt with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide; and an organic solvent, wherein the composition is maintained in the absence of an oxidizing atmosphere.

Finally, the present invention relates to a catalyst which comprises: a finely divided metal with a particle size between about 20 and 500 Angstroms produced by reducing a metal salt with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide to produce a metal or oxide of the metal upon oxidation of the metal; and a non-reactive support having the metal or oxide of the metal deposited thereon.

The solvated electron, e_(s) ⁻, is the most powerful reducing agent possible in a given solvent. Any better reducing agent would react with the solvent to produce solvated electrons. In addition to its thermodynamic reducing ability, the solvated electron also usually reacts rapidly with metal ions and with simple compounds in which a metal is in a positive oxidation state. Alkali metal anions, M⁻, are nearly as effective as e_(s) ⁻ and can provide two electrons within a single encounter.

The electrides and/or alkalides which can be used in the process of the present invention include for instance preferably:

(1) Crown ether compounds

K⁺ (18-crown-6)K⁻, K⁺ (18-crown-6)e⁻ ; general; M⁺ (18-crown-6)_(n) N^(N-) where M and N are alkali metals and n=1 or 2, (for electrides N⁻ =e⁻). Similar compounds with 15-crown-5 in place of 18-crown-6 or with 12-crown-4 or other complexants of the crown-ether class including mixtures of two different crown-ethers:

2) Cryptands

Na⁺ (Cryptand[2.2.2])Na⁻ or generally M⁺ (Cryptand[m.n.o.])N⁻ including the case of N⁻ =e⁻ for electrides:

3) Other complexants

Any complexant for an alkali metal cation that is not easily reduced by the trapped electron or alkali metal anions, such as the aza-analogs of crown ethers and cryptands, similar cages with other than --CH₂ CH₂ --linkages between the oxygen or nitrogen atoms, simple amines such as methylamine, ethylamine, ethylenediamine, other di-, tri- and tetra-amines etc. that can form alkalides or electrides of the generic formulas M⁺ (Complexant)_(m) N⁻ or M⁺ (Complexant)_(m) e⁻. M⁺ and N⁻ are selected from sodium, potassium, cesium, rubidium and lithium. The essential feature is a soluble compound that provides N⁻ or e⁻ when dissolved in a suitable aprotic organic solvent.

The organic solvents which can be used in the present invention are unreactive with the electride or alkalide. Possible solvents are dimethyl ether, diethyl ether tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxy ethane, other polyethers. Reducible solvents cannot be used. The reaction temperature is preferably between -80° C. and 20° C.

The non-oxidizing atmosphere can be provided by various non-reactive gases. Included are nitrogen, argon, helium, and other noble gases. Reaction in vacuo where the vaporized solvent forms the protective atmosphere can be performed.

The reaction of all of the soluble metal compounds that contain oxidized forms of gold (Au), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), tellurium (Te), antimony (Sb), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and germanium (Ge), with the electrides or alkalides is generally essentially complete upon mixing. The presence of a stable blue color after addition of excess reductant electride or alkalide indicates that the reduction is complete and further that the metal solution is not being catalytically decomposed. Generally, a colloidal suspension of the metal (or metal oxide) is first produced as indicated by light scattering and color, followed by slow aggregation of the colloid to a precipitate that can be separated by simple centrifugation. The metals which can be reduced are in Groups IB to VIIIB and Group IIIA to Group VIA, including atomic numbers 13, 14, 21-34, 39-52, 57-83, 89 and above.

As an example, a typical reaction scheme between potassium (15-crown 5)₂ potasside [K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ ] and tin (IV) chloride (SnCl₄) is presumed to follow the scheme ##STR1## The by-products have been identified by x-ray diffraction (XRD). Thus, the initial colloid and precipitate contain not only tin metal, but also the other products of reaction. For a metal as inert as tin, a wash with de-oxygenated water leaves the metal with a thin layer of oxide or hydroxide. In the case of more active metals such as Ti, no elemental metal is observed after workup. Thus, even just solvent removal leaves an oxidized product.

Since an organic complexant such as a crown ether, cryptand or aza-crown is used to prepare the alkalide or electride and provides for a homogeneous solution, any large-scale use of this methodology would require recycling of the complexant, a process that is certainly feasible. The materials consumed in the reactions are the transition metal compound and the alkali metal, neither of which should be prohibitively expensive for a high value-added product.

The following are important features of the process:

(1) The reduction is general, ranging from Al to Te. The only requirement seems to be starting with a compound which is soluble in the solvent.

(2) It is possible to reduce metal mixtures to form alloys of any desired composition or intimate mixtures of a less active metal and a more active metal, the latter then forming an oxide, alkoxide or other oxidized support. Single or mixed metals can be produced on finely divided support materials, and presumably in the pores of Zeolites or in layered materials.

(3) Particle size, as determined from the width of x-ray diffraction (XRD) lines and from electron microscopy, ranges from less than about 25 Å to several hundred Å.

(4) The process is fast.

(5) The expensive reagents are reusable.

When the metals are produced in situ they can be in a highly reactive form depending upon the metal. This is particularly true of the transistion metals. If oxygen is present then a metal oxide can be formed in whole or in part. Further, if a reactive organic or inorganic compound is present it can react with the metal to form in whole or in part a derivative oxidized metal compound. Thus alkoxides, esters, ethers, oxyacid salts, chelates and the like can be formed in situ in high purity. Further, the metals produced can be used directly to catalyze reactions such as titanium coupling of esters and ethers. The present invention contemplates such further reactions of the metals produced by the process of the present invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION INSTRUMENTATION

1. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA)

XPS involves the energy analysis of electrons ejected from a surface under bombardment by x-rays. The photoelectron ejection process occurs when a core level electron absorbs a photon of energy greater than its binding energy. When this occurs, the electron is ejected from the atom with an energy characteristic of the exciting photon and the initial core level binding energy.

    E=Hν-E.sub.b

E is the kinetic energy of the photoelectron

hν is the x-ray photon energy

E_(b) is the photoelectron binding energy

When a sample is illuminated by an intense source of photons of a single well-defined energy, the resultant photoelectrons can be resolved into energy peaks characteristic of the emitting atoms. In addition to the photoelectron emitted in the photoelectric process, Auger electrons are emitted due to relaxation of the energetic ions that remain after photoemission. Auger electron emission occurs about 10⁻¹⁴ sec. after the photoelectric event. Thus, photoionization often leads to two emitted electrons, a photoelectron and an Auger electron as shown in FIG. 1.

The path length of the photons is of the order of micrometers, but that of the electrons is of the order of ten Angstroms. Thus, while ionization occurs to a depth of a few micrometers, only those electrons that originate within tens of Angstroms of the solid surface can leave the surface without energy loss. It is these electrons that produce the peaks in the spectra and are most useful. Those that undergo loss processes before emerging contribute to the background. Experimental data on the mean free paths of electrons in various materials are shown in FIG. 2.

The XPS measurements reported here were performed with a Perkin Elmer PHI 5400 ESCA/XPS™ spectrometer (Eden Prairie, Minn.). Unmonochromatized MgK alpha x-ray sources were used at 15 KV and 300 W. The work function of the instrument was calibrated by measuring the binding energy of Au 4f_(7/2) at 84.0±0.1 eV. During experiments the pressure inside the analyzer chamber was about 10⁻⁸ torr. Ion bombardment to etch away sample surfaces was carried out with an argon ion gun. Both photoelectron and AUGER peaks could be obtained by XPS.

2. X-Ray Diffraction Powder Patterns (XRD)

The mean dimension, D_(hkl), along the Miller index hkl of the crystallites of a powder as related to the pure x-ray diffraction line broadening was calculated by Scherrer's equation

    D.sub.hkl =0.9 λ/βcosθ

in which

λ is the wavelength of the x-ray

β is the angular width at half-maximum intensity

θ is the Bragg angle

A Rigaku™ (Rotaflex model; Danvers, Maine ) x-ray powder diffractometer using a rotating anode and monitored with a Microvax™ computer was used. Data were recorded at 45 KV and 80 mA with the CuKalpha radiation.

3. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectra (EDS) and Electron Diffraction Patterns

All micrographs were taken with a JEOL 100 CXII™ Transmission Electron Microscope (Peabody, Maine) using 100 KV accelerating voltage. Energy Dispersive Spectra (EDS) were recorded with a Link Systems AN 10000™ (Redwood City, Calif.). The Electron Microscope was also used to obtain the Electron Diffraction Patterns.

SAMPLE PREPARATION

All the metal salts were purchased in the highest available purity. Liquid samples were TiCl₄ (99.995+%), GeCl₄ (99.999%), SiCl₄ (99.999%), SbCl₄ (99%) and SnCl₄ (99.999%). Solid samples were CuCl₂ (99.9999%), GaCl₃ (99.99%), ZnI₂ (99.99%), AlCl₃ (99.9%), MoCl₅ (99.99%), FeCl₃ (98%) and AuCl₃. A 0.25 mm thick 99.99% indium foil was used to mount the samples for XPS and XRD studies.

As shown in FIG. 43, a few milligrams of the desired compound A were added to one side of an evacuated H-cell 10 made of borosilicate glass as shown in FIG. 43 with a medium frit 11 in a He-filled dry box (not shown). The cell 10 was fitted with Kontes™ (Morton Grove, Ill.) vacuum valves 12 and 13. Vacuum was drawn through tubes 14 or 15. Enough alkalide or electride B was added to the other side of the H-cell 10 in a nitrogen-filled glove bag. A liquid nitrogen bath was used to cool the cell 10 to prevent decomposition of the alkalide or electride B. Prepurified dimethyl ether was introduced as the solvent into the alkalide or electride under vacuum after pumping out the helium gas to about 10⁻⁵ torr while the cell was kept in a -80° to 20° C., preferably -50° C. isopropanol bath.

The blue solution of the alkalide or electride was poured through the frit 11 to react with the solution of the metal compound A to be reduced after both solids had been completely dissolved in dimethyl ether. The reaction was complete immediately after the addition of alkalide or electride as indicated by fading of the blue color. A slight excess of alkalide or electride was added until the blue color no longer disappeared to make sure that the reaction was complete. Different colors of various colloids were formed at the same time. Then the dimethyl ether was distilled out under vacuum.

The products were removed from the walls of the H-cell 10 and mounted on an indium foil in the He dry box. A vacuum transfer apparatus was used to carry the sample from the dry box to the XPS chamber without exposing the sample to the air. In some cases deionized and degassed distilled water or methanol was used to wash away the by-products. Washing was performed by centrifugation to separate the undissolved metallic particles from the water or methanol soluble by-products. XRD patterns were recorded by placing the precipitate on indium foil either with or without washing. A drop of washed suspension was put on the TEM grid or the grid was dipped into the suspension and allowed to dry in the air, after which TEM micrographs, EDS, and electron diffraction patterns were made.

EXAMPLE 1

Gold

Gold Chloride, AuCl₃, was reduced by the alkalide, K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻, to produce small metallic gold particles. Note that K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ is the nominal composition used. Other studies show that both K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ and K⁺ (15C5)₂ e⁻ are present unless the compound is carefully recrystallized. The products were fully characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, electron diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Only metallic gold peaks were detected by XRD from the precipitates after washing away the by-products, K⁺ (15C5)₂ Cl⁻ and KCl. The mean particle size of the strongest peak of Au (III) from the x-ray line broadening, as shown in FIG. 3, is about 100 Å before washing. FIG. 4 shows that the mean particle size from a different run was about 70 Å after two washes with water.

The small black metallic Au particles were also characterized by XPS and only the 4f_(7/2) peak at 83.9 eV and the 4f_(5/2) peak at 98.7 eV appear on the XPS spectra of FIG. 5, showing that these particles are metallic gold. The micrograph of FIG. 6 with a magnification of 320,000 agrees well with the particle size of about 100 Å as measured by x-ray line broadening of gold produced in the same run. A selected area electron diffraction pattern was also taken from the same area shown in the micrograph of FIG. 6. The ring pattern of FIG. 7 matches all of the d-spacings of metallic gold.

It was also possible to do the reduction in the presence of finely divided alumina (Al₂ O₃) with a specific surface area of 158 m² /g. One gram of Al₂ O₃ and a few milligrams of AuCl₃ were combined in one arm of the H-cell, reduction was conducted as before. The final purple product was confirmed to be Au deposited on Al₂ O₃ by both XRD and TEM. The mean Au particle size shown in FIG. 8 is about 50 Å. From the TEM micrograph shown in FIG. 9 with a magnification of 190,000, the Au particles (black spots) are seen to be deposited uniformly on the surface of Al₂ O₃.

EXAMPLE 2

Zinc

ZnI₂ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ (with possibly some K⁺ (15C5)₂ e⁻) in dimethyl ether. Neither metallic zinc nor the zinc oxide peak was detected by XRD studies of the washed precipitate which means that the particle size of the product is so small that the powder peak cannot be observed. This corresponds to a mean particle diameter of less than 25 Å. The XPS spectra of FIG. 10 show that the L₃ M₄₅ M₄₅ AUGER peaks of both the metal and the oxide appear. (A) is the spectrum of the reaction products, while (B) and (C) are the results after 2 and 5 minutes sputtering by argon ions. As the surface oxide layer is sputtered off, the metal peak increases and the oxide peak decreases. The micrograph of FIG. 11 shows the aggregation of the zinc particles. Only zinc peaks appear in the EDS spectrum of FIG. 12 which shows that these particles are either zinc or zinc oxide (note that oxygen cannot be detected by our EDS system).

EXAMPLE 3

Molybdenum

MoCl₆ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. Again both metallic and oxide 3d_(5/2) and 3d_(3/2) XPS peaks appear in FIG. 13. The metal peak increases and the oxide peak decreases after 10 and 20 minutes of argon sputtering as shown in FIGS. 13 (B) and (C) respectively.

EXAMPLE 4

Gallium

GaCl₃ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. FIGS. 14 (A) and (B) show the sputtering effect on the metal and oxide L₃ M₄₅ M₄₅ Auger peaks before and after two minutes. FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C were taken at the same time after two minutes of sputtering. The relative intensity of metal to oxide in FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C is greater than that in FIG. 14A, so we know that oxide exists only on a few surface layers.

EXAMPLE 5

Tin

SnCl₄ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. FIG. 15A shows that the 3d_(5/2) and 3d_(3/2) peaks of both the metal and the oxide are present. The metal peaks decreased dramatically as shown in FIG. 15B after the sample had been exposed for just a few seconds to the air. This shows how easily the small tin particles are oxidized.

EXAMPLE 6

Iron

FeCl₃ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. FIG. 16A shows the XPS results of the 2p_(3/2) and 2p_(l/2) peaks of both the metal and the oxide before sputtering. FIGS. 16B and FIG. 16C show the results after 5 and 15 minutes of sputtering, respectively. Again, these results indicate that metallic iron is produced by reduction but that the surface layer is oxidized.

EXAMPLE 7

Copper

CuCl₂ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in THF. The XRD spectrum of the product was run after washing away the by-products, KCl and K⁺ (15C5)₂ Cl⁻, and again no peak was observed in the XRD, which indicates that either the particle size was very small or the intensity was too low to observe. The micrograph shown in FIG. 17 displays the aggregation of the product. The EDS spectrum of FIG. 18 for these particles shows only copper peaks and background peaks from the nickel grid.

EXAMPLE 8

Titanium

TiCl₄ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. Only the 2p_(3/2) and 2p_(l/2) titanium oxide peaks were observed in the XPS spectrum shown in FIG. 19. The particle size from the micrograph of FIG. 20 (at 400 Å/cm) is estimated to be about 20 to 40 Å. Again EDS spectroscopy detected only titanium peaks.

EXAMPLE 9

Silicon, Aluminum, Vanadium and Tungsten

SiCl₄, AlCl₃, VCl₃ and WCl₆ were also reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. The blue color of the alkalide disappeared in all cases and precipitates formed but the products have not yet been characterized. The products are believed to be metals and/or oxides.

EXAMPLE 10

Copper Using a Different Alkalide

Copper Chloride, CuCl₂, was reduced by the alkalide, Rb⁺ (15C5)₂ Rb⁻, to produce small metallic copper particles. These were fully characterized by x-ray powder diffraction (XRD) , electron diffraction (ED) , and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Only metallic copper peaks were detected by XRD from the precipitates after washing away the by-products, Rb(15C5)₂ Cl and RbCl. The mean particle size of the strongest peak of Cu(111) from the XRD line broadening, as shown in FIG. 21, is about 57 A after washing by methanol.

FIG. 22 shows the unique electron diffraction pattern of metallic copper lines (111) , (200) , (220) , (311) from inner to outside rings. The micrograph of FIG. 23 with a magnification of 320,000 agrees well with the particle size of 57 A from the XRD line broadening of metallic Cu product in the same run. These particles were also characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy as shown in FIG. 24. Only Cu peaks appear on Ni grid.

The small Cu particles were also characterized by XPS and only the peaks of 2p_(3/2) at 932.6 eV and 2p_(l/2) at 952.4 eV appear on FIG. 25A before washing and FIG. 25C after washing away by-products by methanol. FIG. 25B shows that a small amount of CuO is present on the Cu surface after standing in air for 24 hours.

EXAMPLE 11

Tellurium

TeBr₄ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ e⁻ in dimethyl ether. FIG. 26A shows the XPS results of the 3d_(5/2) and 3d_(3/2) peaks of metallic Te before washing. After oxidizing these products in the air 3 minutes, the oxide peaks are larger than metal peaks as shown in FIG. 26B. These particles were partially oxidized after washing by methanol as shown in FIG. 26C. Clean metallic Te peaks were observed in another methanol washed product. Electron diffraction studies showed that the particles were elemental tellurium.

EXAMPLE 12

Nickel

By adding triethyl phosphine to increase the solubility, NiBr₂ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. The products were kept in an H-cell under vacuum 4 days and analyzed by XPS. FIG. 27A shows metallic Ni peaks only. Small amount of NiO peaks appear when these particles were oxidized in the air 24 hours, but all Ni particles were oxidized after washing by methanol as shown in FIGS. 27B and 27C.

EXAMPLE 13

Antimony

SbCl₅ was reduced by K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻ in dimethyl ether. Both metallic and oxide 3d_(5/2) and 3d_(3/2) XPS peaks appear in FIGS. 28A and 28B before and after washing with methanol. The washed products were sputtered by 14 mpA Ar ion 20 minutes. The result in FIG. 28C shows that only a small amount of oxide is left after sputtering.

EXAMPLE 14

Reducing Agents

Six (6) alkalides and 1 electride were used as reducing agents including: K+(18C6)Na⁻, CS³⁰ (18C6)₂ Na⁻, Cs⁺ (15C5)₂ Na⁻, Rb⁺ (15C5) ₂ Na⁻, K⁺ (15C5)₂ K⁻, Rb⁺ (15C5)₂ Rb⁻ and K⁺ (15C5)₂ e⁻. There was no difference in the reducing ability between them as the blue colors of alkalide or electride disappeared immediately upon reaction.

As can be seen from the foregoing examples, four elements have been produced by alkalide or electride without oxide on the metal surface including: Au, Te, Cu and Ni. Six elements, Fe, Zn, Ga, Mo, Sn and Sb, have oxides on their surfaces by XPS. AlCl₃, SiCl₄, VCl₃, GeCl₄ and WCl₆ can react with alkalide or electride but the precipitates have not yet been characterized. Oxidized titanium (TiO₂ or other product) which has been characterized by XPS is the only product from the reduction of TiCl₄ by this method.

FIGS. 29 to 42 show various metals, compounds and compositions which are produced by the method of the present invention.

The following represent some possible applications for the finely divided metals, metals with oxide coatings and metal oxides:

1) Precipitation of a single metal or several metals on a support for catalytic purposes. Noble metal particles can be deposited on an oxide support such as Al₂ O₃. Perhaps most important here would be those applications that require intimate mixtures of two or more metals on such a support. More reactive metals and alloys can also be prepared on such supports but there would be surface or complete oxidation. Of course, there is no reason that the support could not have other forms, such as sintered metal oxides, "honeycomb" structures, and the like.

2) Preparation of extremely high surface area metal on metal oxide catalysts by co-precipitation of a noble metal and an active metal. For example, Pt and Ti could be co-precipitated to obtain Pt metal in high concentrations on extremely small TiO₂ particles. The number of possible combinations is enormous and include alkoxide supports (with an alcohol wash) or other supports, depending on workup conditions.

3) Ceramic precursors can be prepared by appropriate mixtures of active metals which could be fired to a final ceramic.

4) Difficult-to-produce new alloys can be prepared by coprecipitation of two or more metals. The advantage of low temperature processing is possible.

5) Colloidal metal solutions should be readily produced by the process of the present invention if one takes steps to prevent aggregation such as by adding dispersants.

6) Small semiconductor particles such as GaAs can be produced by reducing a mixture of Ga and As compounds. A solid-state reaction in such small particles could occur to yield the stable III-V compound. The main advantages of the process of the present invention are its wide applicability to many different compounds, the fact that reduction occurs rapidly from a homogeneous solution, and the low temperatures at which metallic particles can be produced. The process of the present invention points the way to entirely new families of catalysts and alloys which cannot be prepared in any other way.

It is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. In a process for the production of metals by reducing a metal salt with a reducing agent the improvement which comprises:reducing in a reaction mixture in the presence of a support a metal salt with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide in an organic solvent for the metal salt and the reducing agent which is unreactive with the reducing agent and in the absence of an oxidizing atmosphere in a closed reaction cell where the reducing agent and metal salt are mixed in the closed reaction cell to produce the metal in a finely divided form in the solvent and wherein the metal is deposited on the support.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran.
 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted at a temperature between about -80° and 20° C.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal 15-crown-5 alkalide, alkali metal 18-crown-6 alkalide and alkali metal 18-crown-6 electride wherein alkali metal and alkalide are selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and rubidium.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the support is a metal oxide.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the metal of the metal salt is selected from Groups IB through VIIIB and Groups IIIA through VIA of the periodic table including atomic numbers 13, 14, 21-34, 39-52, 57-83, 89 and above.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the metal oxide is alumina and the metal salt is a gold salt and wherein gold as the metal is deposited on the alumina.
 8. A process for the production of metals and thereafter oxidized metals which comprises:(a) reducing in a reaction mixture two metal salts wherein one metal salt is a metal salt which is reduced to a first metal and the other metal salt is a metal salt which is reduced to a second metal which is oxidizable to a metal oxide at least in part with a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of an electride and an alkalide in an organic solvent for the metal salt and the reducing agent which is unreactive with the reducing agent and in the absence of an oxidizing atmosphere and in a closed reaction cell where the reducing agent and metal salt are mixed in the closed reaction cell to produce the metal in a finely divided form in the solvent; (b) separating the metals from the solvent; and (c) oxidizing the second metal at least at an exposed surface to a metal oxide in the presence of oxygen wherein the first metal is coated on the metal oxide.
 9. The process of claim 8 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran.
 10. The process of claim 8 wherein the reaction is conducted at a temperature between -80° and 20° C.
 11. The process of claim 8 wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal 15-crown-5 alkalide, alkali metal 18-crown-6 alkalide metal and alkali metal 18-crown-6 electride wherein alkali metal and alkalide are selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium and rubidium.
 12. The process of claim 8 wherein the other metal salt is a transition metal salt.
 13. The process of claim 8 wherein the metal of the metal salt is selected from Groups IB through VIIIB and Groups IIIA through VIA of the periodic table including atomic numbers 13, 14, 21-34, 39-52, 57-83, 89 and above.
 14. The method of claim 8 wherein the metal oxide is titanium dioxide as the support provided in the reaction mixture and the metal salt is a platinum salt and wherein platinum as the metal is deposited on the titanium dioxide. 